Man stabbed in party brawl

Press, 16 November 1987, Page 6

Man stabbed in party brawl

PA Wellington A young man was stabbed to death after a brawl erupted at a party in Lower Hutt on Saturday night, the police said. More than 200 people were at the party when fighting broke out inside the hall at Belmont soon after midnight, and spilled into the car-park. The dead man was Ronald Eric Carbin, aged 21, of Lower Hutt. The police believe Mr Carbin, 21, was stabbed just outside the hall. A private car took him to nearby Hutt Hospital but he was dead on arrival. Four other men were injured and were also taken to hospital. They are reported to be in a stable condition.

Sergeant Laurie Gavites of Lower Hutt said about 150 party-goers were held for questioning. An eyewitness said beer bottles were strewn right through Belmont hall and on the bank outside. “It looked as if there had been a war,” he said. The police were still questioning witnesses yes-

terday and were looking for people who fled the party before the police arrived at the hall.

They have found an assortment of knives but have not established what the murder weapon was. A post mortem examination was conducted on Mr Carbin yesterday. The hall and car-park were still sealed off and the police said they would like to speak to motorists who passed the hall soon after midnight. .